India–China Joint Working Group on the boundary question explained

The Joint Working Group (JWG) was the first official bilateral administrative mechanism formed post the 1962 boundary war by India and China to discuss the boundary question with the aim of finding a solution. It was officially announced in a joint press communique in Beijing on 23 December 1988. A total of fifteen meetings of the JWG were held between 1989 and 2005. The last meeting was held on 30–31 March 2005.

While the JWG was not able to resolve the boundary question, it was an important bilateral mechanism through which India and China gradually resolved certain aspects of the border problem. A "hotline" was set up between military commanders, border posts were opened, mechanisms for conveying troop positions were just some of the incremental changes accomplished.^[1]

Background

The relevant part of the joint press communique reads:^[2] The JWG would be led by the Indian foreign secretary and the Chinese deputy foreign minister. The JWG had a three-point mandate, summarized as, make recommendations and maintain border peace pending a final solution utilizing the expertise of military experts, communications experts, legal experts etc.

Rounds

1. 30 June–4 July 1989
2. 30–31 August 1990
3. 12–14 May 1991
4. 20–21 February 1992
5. 27–29 October 1992
6. 24–27 June 1993
7. 6–7 July 1994
8. 18–20 August 1995
9. 16–18 October 1996
10. 4–5 August 1997
11. 26–27 April 1999
12. 28–29 April 2000
13. 31 July–1 August 2001
14. 21–22 November 2002
15. 30–31 March 2005

See also

• India China border agreements
  • 1988: Joint press communique, 23 December
  • Confidence building measures
    • 1993: Border Peace and Tranquility Agreement
    • 1996: Agreement on Military Confidence Building Measures
    • 2005: Protocol for the Implementation of Military Confidence Building Measures
  • Political measures
    • 2003: Declaration on Principles for Relations and Comprehensive Cooperation
    • 2005: Agreement on the Political Parameters and Guiding Principles for the Settlement of the India-China Boundary Question
  • 2012: Agreement on the Establishment of a Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination on India-China Border Affairs
  • 2013: Border Defence Cooperation Agreement
  • 2020: 5 point statement

References

Bibliography

• Book: Sali, M. L.. India-China Border Dispute: A Case Study of the Eastern Sector. APH Publishing. 1998. 8170249643. New Dehi.
• Book: Panda, Jagannath P.. India-China Relations: Politics of Resources, Identity and Authority in a Multipolar World Order. Taylor & Francis. 2017. 9781317563815. 2016018280.

Notes and References

1. Web site: Singh. Bhartendu Kumar. 7 June 1999. Sino-Indian Ties: The 11th Round of Joint Working Group Meeting. 2021-02-28. Institute of Peace and Conflict Studies.
2. Web site: 23 December 1988. Sino-Indian Joint Press Communique, Beijing. 2021-02-28. www.fmprc.gov.cn.